Tue Jan 20 13:40:00 UTC 2026: # San Joaquin Valley Gripped by Worst Fog in Decades

The Story:
The San Joaquin Valley is experiencing unusually dense and persistent fog, disrupting daily life and breaking records. According to a recent report, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport recorded extremely low visibility levels unseen in 15 years and 64 years for different durations. The severe fog is attributed to a combination of early heavy rainfall, subsequent clear skies, high pressure, and the valley’s unique geography.

Key Points:

  • Fresno-Yosemite International Airport reported 1/16th of a mile of visibility for 10 hours straight, a level not seen for that long in 15 years.
  • The airport also reported 20 consecutive hours of 1/8th of a mile visibility, a phenomenon not observed since January 1962.
  • The fog is caused by a wet start to the rain season, followed by high pressure and clear skies, leading to condensation and the trapping of moisture in the San Joaquin Valley.
  • The current weather pattern is expected to persist until at least the end of January, possibly even until February 2nd.
  • The severity of the fog depends on whether the skies clear in the afternoon; clear skies lead to denser fog at night.

Key Takeaways:

  • The San Joaquin Valley’s unique geography makes it particularly susceptible to dense fog formation under specific weather conditions.
  • The combination of early rainfall and subsequent atmospheric conditions has created a rare and extreme fog event.
  • The current fog conditions are expected to continue for several weeks, impacting transportation and daily routines.

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